Relations between Malaysia and China now are at their best stage and "I am confident that together we would be able to propel it further to a higher plane," Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said.

Syed Hamid made the comments at a grand reception in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday evening, hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Wang Chungui, to mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The minister said the recent visit to China by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit lay down the foundation for further enhancement of friendly relations, cooperation and amity between the two countries.

"Malaysia-China relations have today matured. The mutual confidence, respect and trust that characterize the existing cordial ties have brought interaction between the two countries to a new and never seen before dimension, embracing virtually all areas of human activities and endeavors," he said.

Looking to the future, bilateral ties are expected to intensify even more as the two countries launched a new "strategic partnership" that will pave the way for the future enhancement of relations at all level and all sectors of society, he added.

In reply, the Chinese ambassador said, over the past 30 years, China-Malaysia relations have enjoyed steady and considerable development. Currently, the bilateral ties are in the best shape in history.

Politically the two countries hold mutual trust with common interests continuously expanded; economically, both sides have become each other's important cooperative partners, the ambassador said, adding that in international affairs, the two sides share many common views with mutual coordination continuously enhanced.

China and Malaysia enjoy good relations in the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties on May 31, 1974. Malaysia is the first country among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to set up diplomatic ties with China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2004)